Employment growth slows in Q1, unemployment ticks up slightly

Singapore's employment growth slowed in the first quarter of this year, according to the Manpower Ministry's latest labour report. Total employment grew by 4,900 in the first three months of this year, while unemployment also ticked up slightly to 2.1 per cent in March. Meanwhile, retrenchments in Singapore fell for the second straight quarter, with 3,000 people laid off from January to March this year. The Manpower Ministry said business restructuring remains the top reason for companies axing staff. Nicolas Ng and Richa Mathew report.